Margaret Mullane, Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, has backed Guide Dogs’ call to make every street accessible for everyone after hearing from people with sight loss about the barriers they face when travelling independently.
Margaret Mullane MP visited Guide Dogs’ stand at Labour Party conference to hear how unsafe street design, blocked pavements, illegally ridden or dangerous e-scooters and e-bikes create can make everyday journeys difficult and dangerous for people with sight loss.
Independent travel is the leading priority for people with sight loss. August 2026 polling found that improving street safety and design and making public transport more accessible are the most important areas for improvement for people with sight loss.
Guide Dogs welcomes the Government’s commitment to tackling unsafe pavement parking in England, including the introduction of new powers for local authorities to ensure that pavements are accessible for everyone.
People with sight loss also increasingly face challenges from e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden illegally or blocking pavements, and from dangerous bus stop designs which bring pedestrians into conflict with cyclists. Margaret heard about the need for stronger regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters to prevent unsafe riding, and for clear standards on bus stops, so all streets are safe and accessible for everyone.
At the conference, Margaret spoke to guide dog owner Charlotte about her experience of navigating inaccessible streets.
Margaret Mullane MP said: “I was astonished to learn how many everyday places guide dog owners are frequently turned away from. More needs to be done to create a fair and equal playing field for blind and partially sighted people who rely on the support of a guide dog.”
Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: “After decades of campaigning, we welcome the breakthrough on pavement parking and look forward to working with the Government on the promised national framework, providing clear and consistent standards so that people with sight loss can travel safely and independently wherever they live.
“But pavement parking is just one of the barriers people with sight loss face in travelling independently. Unsafe street design, blocked pavements and dangerous e-scooters and e-bikes can all make it harder to get around, while inconsistent bus stop standards can create further obstacles. We need action on these issues too, because every street should be for everyone.”
Margaret Mullane MP understands the importance of accessibility, enabling the freedom of activity for everyone, and working alongside people who share that mindset.
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